Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said he sees the potential for major changes to the college sports landscape when expansion shakes out - whenever that is.

"I think there’s the potential for there to be a sea change in terms of the composition of the major conferences in the country," Brandon said Friday during an appearance on WTKA 1050-AM. "There’s a possibility. Now whether it happens or not, who knows? When it happens or not, who knows?

"And it’s one of those things where if two or three schools break in a certain direction it almost might force other two or three schools to break in another direction and the ripple effect could be really substantial."

The Big Ten announced in December it was exploring expansion, and scenarios have run rampant in the months since with different schools interesting in joining the conference.

Last week, a Kansas City radio station reported the Big Ten invited Missouri, Nebraska, Rutgers and Notre Dame to join the conference. Missouri and Nebraska denied offers had been made, and Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany reportedly emailed conference athletic directors to say there was no truth to the report.

"The financial consequences of this are unbelievable," he said. "Listen, conferences have contractual obligations. In some cases it’s expensive to leave a conference. It may be expensive to buy into a new conference. There’s so many considerations. This is not just a game of checkers, this is multi-, multi-billion dollar, very complex issue that involves the presidents of the universities, the conference commissioner, certainly the athletic directors.

“It’s interesting to be a part of it. It’s a work in progress. It could end up being nothing, but it’s like going to end up being something."

Other topics Brandon and Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez addressed in their hour on the air:

â€¢ On Brandon's role in recruiting, esaid: "I love it. When I was here as a student-athlete, the coaches used me a lot. I love the place and I think I'm a pretty good sales guy, particularly when the product is great. And the product here is great. ... When I'm called upon, if I can convince student-athletes and/or their parents why this is a great place to come and be a part of this tradition, by God I'm going to do it."

â€¢ Rodriguez on whether Brandon will be at Michigan's end-of-spring recruiting barbecue next Saturday: "Oh sure. Dave has done, anything we've asked he's done right there front and center."

â€¢ Rodriguez, in light of the Morgan Trent situation, how he helps promote his players: "Their interaction with the college guys is really not as much as people think. We have a pro day and I sit up there and talk about all our seniors and put them in the best light we can from a positive standpoint, and once in a while they may call an assistant coach if they know the assistant coach from different travels. But they usually do their background before they even come to pro day so they don't have a whole lot of questions. If your guy's going to be a first-rounder, for instance this year I had a few calls on Brandon Graham, but not one of them was from a coach, it was from somebody working in their organization that wanted to check just on character. The Philadelphia Eagles, I knew they were pretty interested in (Graham) because they called twice, and it was somebody in their organization who just wanted to know what kind of guy he is. And it worked out pretty well for him, and I think he's going to have a long, illustrious career with the Eagles."

The Eagles drafted Graham in the first round last month.

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

Comments

BowlForBlue

Sat, May 15, 2010 : 9:27 p.m.

I must agree, six wins alone won't do it this year.... good thing we'll have games 7 thru 12 to get six more for 12-0, then add one more with the 'crystal' Bowl game.

Mick52

Sat, May 15, 2010 : 3:36 p.m.

Does anyone know the reason behind this expansion? Why is it a benefit?

willievrine

Sat, May 15, 2010 : 11:04 a.m.

I agree Biig Ten expansion is not like a game of Checkers. Its more like Monopoly where the Big Ten is trying to have all the best teams and regain its preeminence. But then again, its kinda like Chess where the Big Ten is trying to think 2-3 moves ahead while not letting on so other conferences wont know what their next move is. Wait a minute! Its more like Connect Four and thats why they are trying to add Nebraska, Missouri, Notre Dame and Rutgers. No, I got it, its more like Uno where the Big Te wants to be the Number One conference. Oh well, I guess thats the game called Life. However this expansion thing turns out I hope we wont be Sorry. We could end up in a lot of Trouble. Im ready for some football!

NoBowl4Blue

Fri, May 14, 2010 : 6:43 p.m.

Hopefully all the powers that be can figure out expansion and get on with it, I'm tired of reading about it. Just do it. As far as Brandon helping in recruiting, it can't hurt. RR has enough negativity surrounding him, he needs it although this will most likely be his last year anyway. 6 wins tops won't do it.